Similan liveaboard - Choices?

[lord khram]

I agree entirely, for those that are not in the know about the Thai diving industry I would also recomend using an agent for booking live aboards (for most things I would recomend otherwise).
It is commonplace for diving customers to not recieve exactly what they are expecting, and all the good agents would not recommend companies that partake in such practices to protect their own reputations.

 

[clibero]

Hello Gentleman,

Quero: Yes, see my statement, it has information about most of the boats, not all. And the booking button sends you an email to a human being, so it is not a computer - computer system, there is human behind it. If you are on the other side of the world, like myself, it doesn't matter the system that you are using, there is still some risks on it and booking it only when being in Thailand in December is not an option due to the number of people doing it at same time.

Karin: One of the boats that is listed there is the junk, so they are not unknown boats and you can easily google them for additional information. Also, you can have a PADI certified liveaboard, which is almost (not 100%) certified as qualified boat. Thanks for the wished =)

In General, I am using the website without problem, same as I buy airplane tickets via websites and also booking hotels, just be sure of the risks and how to mitigate them.

Carlos

 

[Quero]

Obviously, Carlos, you do what you are comfortable with and what works best for you. But for others who may be reading this thread, it might be useful to know that the list in the website is not only incomplete (for example, Karin's boat, Oktavia, which is a really nice choice, isn't listed), but the list is also outdated. The boat Explorer IX is no longer in service, for example, and will be replaced by Halleluja. It could be that whatever person pulls the booking data from the web-booking knows this, but... the point remains that the customer pressing the 'booking" button doesn't know it and is presented with incorrect information on which to base a decision about making a purchase. That's a pretty big risk, in my opinion, and I wouldn't personally be willing to take it if, like you, I were traveling halfway around the world for a dive trip. As I said earlier though, YMMV (você que sabe).

 

[stevenl]

Also, you can have a PADI certified liveaboard, which is almost (not 100%) certified as qualified boat.

Hi Carlos,

Please, use any website you are happy with. But a PADI certified liveaboard does not exist.

 

[similandiver]

And of course the only ones listed are those Liveaboards that work with agents.

Not all LOB's offer their services through third parties.

 

[timchea]

How about recommending a few reputable agents for live aboards operating out of Phuket.
I'll be there about the middle of February 2012.

 

[Mortizia13]

I'm planning my trip to Similan right now too!! Want to go at the end of January 2012.
After read a lot of suggestions I decided to start in Khao Lak. It's not far from Phuket and rates are cheaper 'coz you are closer to Similan.
I've been checking some dive centers. Here you are the links I check only if you want to have a look!!


1. Liveaboard Phuket
2 Diving Similan Islands Thailand | Liveaboard, Day trips, PADI Courses | Diving Khaolak Thailand Khao lak Scuba Adventures PADI 5 Star IDC Similan Dive Center
3 Diving Similans from Khao Lak - Liveaboards & Day Trips to Similan Islands - Thailand
4 Diving Khao Lak | Khaolak Dive | Khao Lak Dive Center
5 iQ-Dive Khao Lak - Resorts Khao Lak, dive Similan islands
6 Kon-Tiki Thailand Diving & Snorkeling Center
7 Similan Diving Safaris | Diving Similan Islands, Khao Lak, Thailand: liveaboard, day trip diving, PADI Courses and snorkeling trips to the Similan Islands in Thailand
8 Diving at Similan Islands with Phuket Divers.
9 www.calypsophuket.com
10 Big Blue Diving - Koh Tao - Thailand - Home
11 Thailand Diving | Phuket Liveaboards | Scuba Diving Similan Islands | PADI 5 Star

Good luck!!!!

 

[Quero]

I'm planning my trip to Similan right now too!! Want to go at the end of January 2012.
After read a lot of suggestions I decided to start in Khao Lak. It's not far from Phuket and rates are cheaper 'coz you are closer to Similan.

Looks like you've been spending hours browsing the web! This note is only meant to give you a little insight into a misconception you've got. It's not actually any cheaper to start in Khao Lak (except maybe you can find cheaper accommodation pre-trip, but I'm not 100% sure of that even). Otherwise, regardless of where you start, the trip price is going to be the same for any particular boat you book on, whether you start out on Phuket or at Khao Lak. In fact, most operators offer no-cost transfers from Phuket on the day of the sailing and back again, whereas if you travel from the airport directly to Khao Lak you will have to pay for a ride up there (and back again when you leave). Anyway, I just wanted to set you straight on costs.

 

[Buadhai]

Think of it this way: The round trip from your hotel to the boat is included (generally) in the price of the cruise. The trip from the airport to your hotel is on you. If you really want to save money, stay at a hotel near the airport.

 

[aquamarin]

timchea, it's a fair question, and I hope other people will answer it. I can't as I work with several really good and professional agents, but from "the other side"